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庵 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
庵ānBuddhist monastery or nunneryng, 11 strokes, radical 广, rank #55119, Very Hard
庵ānhutunknown, 11 strokes, radical 广, rank #55119, Very Hard
庵ānsmall templeunknown, 11 strokes, radical 广, rank #55119, Very Hard
庵ānnunneryunknown, 11 strokes, radical 广, rank #55119, Very Hard
ān(an1)an T1
  1. 1Buddhist monastery or nunnery
  2. 2hut
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

庵ān(an1)

The character 庵 (ān) refers to a small Buddhist monastery, nunnery, or temple, often characterized by its humble, simple aesthetic. It is commonly used to describe a place of retreat for meditation and spiritual practice, emphasizing tranquility and simplicity.

Strokes11Radical广Frequency#55119DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

庵 is deeply rooted in Chinese Buddhism, representing places where monks and nuns can live and practice away from the distractions of society. Such locations are often found in serene natural settings, reflecting the Buddhist ideal of harmony with nature.

Memory Tip

Think of the character 庵 as a 'hut' (the roof component 宀 suggests shelter) where monks and nuns can find peace. Imagine a serene place surrounded by nature, where the sound of chanting echoes softly, reminding you that 'ān' means a small, sacred space.

Meanings of 庵

ān(an1)
1Buddhist monastery or nunnery
2hut
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

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About 庵

庵Simplified
11Strokes
广Radical
名语素míngcínoun root (n.root)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 庵

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Podcast: 庵

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AI Study Notes for 庵

Usage Notes

Learners often confuse 庵 with larger terms for temples or monasteries due to its specificity. It is generally used in a more formal or literary context, so be mindful of the setting when using it. Common collocations include '佛教庵' (Buddhist monastery) and '修行庵' (meditation hut).

HSK Study Tips

While 庵 is not officially listed in HSK levels, it aligns with advanced vocabulary related to religion and culture. Students should connect it with other religious terms like 寺 (sì - temple) and 僧 (sēng - monk) to deepen their understanding of Buddhist terminology.

Common Mistakes

Learners might mistakenly use 庵 to refer to any small building, which is incorrect. For example, saying '这座庵是我的家' (This hut is my home) is misleading; it should be used only in a religious context, such as '这座庵是一个佛教庵' (This hut is a Buddhist monastery).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 庵

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Etymology of 庵

Formation TypeIdeographic 指事
六书 ClassificationIdeograph (指事字)~2% of characters
Memory Hint

A building 广 where people remain 奄; 奄 also provides the pronunciation

Learn more about Ideograph (指事字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

What kind of character is 庵?

Decomposition of 庵

IDS Structure⿸广奄
庵Full Character
=
广Guang3
enclosing
奄yan1
inner
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 庵?

How to say Buddhist monastery or nunnery in Chinese

“Buddhist monastery or nunnery” in Chinese is庵ān

The character 庵 (ān) refers to a small Buddhist monastery, nunnery, or temple, often characterized by its humble, simple aesthetic. It is commonly used to describe a place of retreat for meditation and spiritual practice, emphasizing tranquility and simplicity.

When to use 庵

Learners often confuse 庵 with larger terms for temples or monasteries due to its specificity. It is generally used in a more formal or literary context, so be mindful of the setting when using it. Common collocations include '佛教庵' (Buddhist monastery) and '修行庵' (meditation hut).

What learners get wrong

Learners might mistakenly use 庵 to refer to any small building, which is incorrect. For example, saying '这座庵是我的家' (This hut is my home) is misleading; it should be used only in a religious context, such as '这座庵是一个佛教庵' (This hut is a Buddhist monastery).

Write 庵

庵

Practice writing 庵 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar Patterns of 庵

庵 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 4 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Exercise 1 of 2

Fill the gap

Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.

何慎____赶快接着说, 便坐在冯云卿的对面.

Ho Shen - an hurriedly assured him, then sat down opposite him.

Example Sentences for 庵 (2)

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1
何慎庵赶快接着说, 便坐在冯云卿的对面.

hé shèn ān gǎn kuài jiē zháo shuō, , biàn zuò zài féng yún qīng de duì.

Ho Shen - an hurriedly assured him, then sat down opposite him.
2
冯云卿 和何慎庵对看了一眼,却不回答.

féng yún qīng hé hé shèn ān duì kàn le yī, yǎn , què bù.

Feng Yun - ching and Ho Shen - an exchanged glances but made no comment.

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Word Family of 庵

Words Containing This Character6
庵ānhut
施耐庵Shi Nai'an (1296-1371), author of Water Margin or Outlaws of the Marsh 水滸傳|水浒传[Shuǐ​hǔ​Zhuàn]
庵堂Buddhist nunnery
田家庵区Tianji'an district of Huainan city 淮南市[Huái​nán​shì], Anhui田家庵區
田家庵Tianji'an district of Huainan city 淮南市[Huái​nán​shì], Anhui
西来庵Xilai Temple (Tainan, Taiwan)西來庵
Exercise 1 of 4

Words with 庵

What does 施耐庵 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 庵

Yes, 庵 specifically refers to small Buddhist monasteries or nunneries, distinguishing it from larger temples.

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